Inspector general report says FBI had 'authorized purpose' to investigate Trump campaign's Russia ti

[elleng]

Source: wp

A long-awaited Justice Department inspector general’s report examining the FBI’s investigation into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia rebuts allegations of illegal spying and that political bias played a role in the probe begun ahead of the 2016 election, but finds serious faults in other areas, according to a copy of the document obtained by The Washington Post.

The inspector general concludes that the FBI had an “authorized purpose” to initiate the investigation and that the bureau’s use of confidential informants was in compliance with the rules.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said the inspector general had “completely demolished” some of conservatives’ assertions about the origins of the probe, though his investigators did find some problems.

“Clearly, there was a legitimate, factual basis; in fact the FBI had a moral imperative to begin this investigation,” Blumenthal said. In particular, he said the inspector general had rebutted claims that Trump campaign advisers were illegally surveilled or entrapped, or that political motive was “in any way a factor.”



Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/inspector-general-report-trump-russia-investigation/2019/12/09/d5940d88-184c-11ea-a659-7d69641c6ff7_story.html

[safeinOhio]

1. Is this house of cards

falling apart?

[elleng]

6. HAS been,

but will take #### time, as they ALL obstruct.

[yesphan]

2. The "IG is

a never trumper" tweet in 3....2...1

[dem4decades]

3. Am I wrong to think this was released during Berke's questioning on purpose?

[elleng]

8. yes, wrong, coincidental.

[dewsgirl]

4. I just read a statement from Barr and one from Nunes, they

are completely delusional.

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Botany]

7. The IG's report was going to be their "fire wall." So much for that.

“Clearly, there was a legitimate, factual basis; in fact the FBI had a moral imperative to begin this investigation,” Blumenthal said. In particular, he said the inspector general had rebutted claims that Trump campaign advisers were illegally surveilled or entrapped, or that political motive was “in any way a factor.”

Carter Page was going to Moscow and bringing back money to Trump.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. Statement is pure propaganda: a big lie and roll it repeatedly. . . . nt

[dewsgirl]

13. Mark Meadows just tweeted almost the exact same thing.

FFS!

[aggiesal]

21. IG's report is available for the public to read ...

Mueller's report wasn't.

This should hopefully expose BARR for what he is, Pendejo45's Minister Of Propaganda.

Now release the Mueller Report for everyone to read and make up our own conclusions.

[madamesilverspurs]

5. Explosive enough to warrant breaking into coverage of the hearings.

I was on my way into the shower when that happened, came back into the living room when I heard it. Shower isn't going anywhere. What the heck, I'd need another one anyway after listening to Gohmert et al.
What a time we're living in!


.

[elleng]

11. by msnbc;

hearing is on-going (I SEE, but don't hear.)

[madamesilverspurs]

12. Yes.

I switched over to C-span.

[Kingofalldems]

10. Kick this for the thread hijacking attempt.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

14. Hunh?

[dewsgirl]

15. Do you mean me? I didn't see the sense in making a new thread.

[Kingofalldems]

16. Thead is about the actual report, not what republicans think.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

20. We can discuss what Democrats think but not Republicans? That makes no sense.

Original post discusses what senior Democratic Senator thinks.

[muriel_volestrangler]

24. You're way out of line

You're attacking a DUer for an on-topic post. By your lights, no-one should reply to any LBN thread, ever.

[Kingofalldems]

25. Wrong. Thread is about the IG report.

You are attacking me though. That's out of line.

[muriel_volestrangler]

26. Your reply #10 is off-topic.

We can take this into PMs; since this sub-thread is a distraction (the only one in the thread).

[Kingofalldems]

28. Sure.

[James48]

17. ACTUAL REPORT LINK HERE:

DOJ OIG Releases Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the
FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation

Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz announced today the release of a Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation. The DOJ Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) findings are summarized in the report’s Executive Summary, available at the links below.

During this review, the OIG examined more than one million documents that were in the DOJ’s and FBI’s possession and conducted over 170 interviews involving more than 100 witnesses. The scope of the OIG’s review included:

 The decision to open an FBI investigation on July 31, 2016 known as “Crossfire Hurricane” and four individual cases on current and former members of the Trump campaign, George Papadopoulos, Carter Page, Paul Manafort, and Michael Flynn; the early investigative steps taken; and whether the openings and early steps complied with DOJ and FBI policies (Chapter 3);
 The FBI’s relationship with Christopher Steele, whom the FBI considered to be a confidential human source (CHS); its receipt, use, and evaluation of electronic reports from Steele; and its decision to close Steele as an FBI CHS (Chapters 4- 6);
 Four FBI applications filed with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) in 2016 and 2017 to conduct Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) surveillance targeting Carter Page; and whether these applications complied with DOJ and FBI policies and satisfied the government’s obligations to the FISC (Chapter 5-8);
 The interactions of DOJ attorney Bruce Ohr with Steele, the FBI, Glenn Simpson of Fusion GPS, and the State Department; whether work Ohr’s spouse performed for Fusion GPS implicated ethical rules applicable to Ohr; and Ohr’s interactions with DOJ attorneys regarding the Manafort criminal case (Chapter 9); and
 The FBI’s use of Undercover Employees (UCEs) and CHSs other than Steele in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation; whether the FBI placed any CHSs within the Trump campaign or tasked any CHSs to report on the Trump campaign; whether the use of
CHSs and UCEs complied with DOJ and FBI policies; and the attendance of a Crossfire Hurricane supervisory agent at counterintelligence briefings given to the 2016 presidential candidates and certain campaign advisors (Chapter 10).
The OIG’s analysis appears in Chapter 11 and the OIG’s conclusions and 9 recommendations to the DOJ and FBI appear in Chapter 12. The FBI’s response to the OIG’s report is included in the report as an attachment.


Today’s report is available on the DOJ OIG website, and at either of the following links:

 Read the report on the OIG’s website: https://www.justice.gov/storage/120919-examination.pdf





###

[elleng]

18. THANKS

[James48]

19. From the report:

The Crossfire Hurricane investigation was
properly designated as a "sensitive investigative
matter," or SIM, by the FBI because it involved the
activit ies of a domestic political organization or
individuals prominent in such an organization. The
DIOG requires that SIMs be reviewed in advance by the
FBI Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and approved
by the appropriate FBI Headquarters operational section
chief, and t hat an "appropriate [National Security
Division] official" receive notification after the case has
been opened.

We concluded that the FBI satisfied the DIOG's
approval and notificat ion requirements for SIMs. As we
describe in Chapter Three, the Crossfire Hurricane
opening was reviewed by an OGC Unit Chief and
approved by AD Priestap (two levels above Section
Chief). The team also ora lly briefed National Security
Division (NSD) officials within the first few days of the
investigations being initiated. We were concerned,
however, that Department and FBI policies do not
require t hat a senior Department official be notified
prior to the opening of a particularly sensitive case such
as t his one, nor do they place any additional
requi rements for SIMs beyond the approval and
notification requirements at the t ime of opening, and
therefore we include a recommendation to address this
issue.

[stopdiggin]

22. Thanks. Best and most concise summary (nt)

Recognized sensitive. Early report and review within chain of command. Authorized investigation and targets. By the book.

[James48]

23. NO POLITICAL BIAS:

From page 4 and 5 of the report:

"We concluded that Priestap's exercise of discretion in
opening the investigation was in compliance with
Department and FBI policies, and we did not find
documentary or testimonial evidence that political bias
or improper motivation influenced his decision. We
similarly found that, while the formal documentation
opening each of the four individual investigat ions was
approved by Strzok (as required by the DIOG), the
decisions to do so were reached by a consensus among
the Crossfire "Hurricane agents and analysts who
identified individuals associated with the Trump
campaign who had recently traveled to Russia or had
other alleged ties to Russia. Priestap was involved in
these decisions. We did not find documentary or
testimonial evidence that political bias or improper
motivation influenced the decisions to open the four
individual investigat ions.

[Hoyt]

27. trump's response, as reported by CNBC, is hilarious.

"Trump says DOJ report ‘far worse than I ever thought possible,’ despite no finding of political bias"

[Ligyron]

29. They have learned propaganda from the Russians well.

Just bloviate the exact opposite of any unpleasant, pesky facts and their uniformed, bubble dwelling supporters believe it.

Works better than we could possibly have imagined.

Unfortunately.

[calimary]

30. A legitimate reason to investigate an illegitimately-"elected" president.

Sounds about right to me.

[PuffedMica]

31. There goes the Faux Nuze grand conspiracy theory.

It looks like Trump is not exonerated after all. I hope he likes his cell in Leavenworth.

[ck4829]

32. K&R